Brief historical background of programme of study
The Diploma in Theology (Dip.Th.) programme was introduced in 1975.  It was designed to equip ‘O’ Level holders for the pastoral ministry at the Ghana Baptist Seminary now School of Theology and Ministry (STM) under the Ghana Baptist University College (GBUC), Kumasi.  It started as a three-year programme, but now run over two years.

Unit of the institution to offer study

The School of Theology and Ministry (STM) does not have faculties and departments and therefore this programme is run as a unit.
Rationale, Goals and Objectives for the Diploma of Theology Programme

Rationale
The Diploma in Theology Programme is a two year programme designed to equip persons to perform basic tasks of Christian ministry. This is pursued through biblical, theological, historical, educational and guided practical ministry studies.

Goal
To provide basic wholistic theological education that enhances the students’ spirituality, personal growth, and ministry skills.
Objectives
To enable students to understand and effectively communicate the Biblical revelation.
To enable students to acquire understanding of theology, church history and educational principles for effective ministry in contemporary society.
To enable students to acquire practical skills and knowledge in the performance of Christian ministry under the guidance and supervision of competent ministers, teachers, and experts.
To help students understand the principles, methods and concepts of wholistic mission for effective evangelism, church development, and community development.
To facilitate the development of personal and spiritual growth of
students.

 

Entry Requirements

We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.

 

Academic Qualifications:
The applicant must submit a completed application form and be interviewed by a panel set up by the Academic Committee. An applicant may be admitted with the GCE “O Level”, or SSSCE or WASSCE or an equivalent professional qualification
Qualification	Requirements 2016/2017
Senior Secondary School or West african Secindary school Certificate	Pass with an aggregate 25 to 30 or better in six subjects including core English and core Mathematics
General Certificate of Education:	Five credits including English Language and Mathematics at the GCE ‘O’ Level examinations
Professional Qualifications:	Applicants with professional qualifications   which are equivalent to (i.) or (ii.) above may be admitted on the recommendation of the Academic Commitee

 

Ghanaian Students

All applications for admission should be made on the prescribed forms obtained from the University College or the University’s official Website, (www.gbuc.edu.gh).
Completed application forms should be submitted together with three passport-sized photographs and certified copies of student’s results slip and certificates within the prescribed period of time to the Registrar of the University College.

International Students

International students may download the prescribed form from the University’s official Website, (www.gbuc.edu.gh) and submit via post; Ghana Baptist University College, PMB, Amakom-Kumasi

Components of the Diploma in Theology Programme

Required Courses

The required courses for graduation are indicated in Table1.1

Required Courses
DTH 001   English Grammar	DTH 023  Fundamentals of Preaching
DTH 003   Old Testament Survey	DTH 025  Church and Community Development
DTH 005   Biblical Interpretation	DTH 027   Systematic Theology I
DTH 007   Evangelism    DTH 029	Introduction to Christian Ethics
DTH 009   Spiritual Formation	DTH 031   Church History Survey
DTH 011   Introduction to Basic Computing	DTH 033   Supervised Ministry I
DTH 002   English Writing Skills	DTH 022   Pastoral Care and Counseling
DTH 004   New Testament Survey	DTH 024   Old Testament Prophets
DTH 006   Religious Education	DTH 026   Baptist History & Distinctives
DTH 008   African Traditional Religion	DTH 028   Systematic Theology II
DTH 010   Introduction to Christian Worship	DTH 030   Comparative Study of Religion
DTH 012   Leadership or DTH 014   Christian Stewardship    DTH	DTH 032   Acts of the Apostles or DTH 034   Romans
DTH 021   Church Administration	036   Supervised Ministry II

 

Elective Courses: The electives offered at the discretion of the faculty are indicated in Table 1.2

Table 1.2 Elective courses for the Diploma in Theology Programme
DTH   013   Music Practicum I	DTH  038   Minor Prophets
DTH   015   Foundations of Teaching	DTH  039   Gospel and Culture
DTH   016   Music Practicum II	DTH  041   Contemporary Ethical Issues
DTH   018  The Life & Teaching of Jesus Christ	DTH  042   Islam in West Africa
DTH   035   Spiritual Warfare	DTH  044   Contemporary Theology
DTH   037   Wisdom Literature

 

Practical training: Supervised Ministry

•    The student is involved in Supervised Ministry for two semesters.
•    Supervised Ministry is designed to offer an opportunity for the student to be involved in the pastoral ministry under the guidance of competent ministers in local churches.
•    While in training, the student works with an experienced minister who serves as his/her supervisor.  The supervisor will guide the student through selected practical training experiences and help him/her to evaluate those experiences.
•    On-campus-seminars allow the student to share and compare his/her experiences in ministry with those of his peers.

Semester-by-Semester Layout of Courses Showing the Credit Value of Each Course:

YEAR ONE DIPLOMA Table 1.3 Semester by semester layout of courses/credit value
FIRST SEMESTER	Credits	SECOND SEMESTER	Credits
DTH 001 English Grammar	3	DTH 002 English Writing Skills	3
DTH 003 Old Testament Survey I	2	DTH 003 Old Testament Survey 2	2
DTH 004 New Testament Survey	2	DTH 004 New Testament Survey	2
DTH 005 Biblical Interpretation	3	DTH 006 Religious Education	3
DTH 007 Evangelism	3	DTH 008 African Traditional Religion	3
DTH 009 Spiritual Formation	3	DTH 010 Intro. to Christian Worship	2
DTH 011 Intro. to Basic Computing	-	DTH 012 Leadership or DTH 014 Christian Stewardship	3
TOTAL	16	TOTAL	18

Non-Credit required course:

DTH 011 Introduction to Basic Computing a pass/fail course must be taken in the first year. Note: A student who passes a proficiency test in basic computing will be exempted from this course.

 

 

Year Two Diploma
First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
DTH 021 Church Administration	3	DTH 022 Pas. Care & Counselling	3
DTH 023 Fundamentals of Preaching	3	DTH 024 Old Testament Prophets	3
DTH 025 Church and Com. Development	3	DTH 026 Baptist Hist. & Distinctives	3
DTH 027 Systematic Theology I	3	DTH 028 Systematic Theology II	3
DTH 029 Intro. to Christian Ethics	3	DTH 030 Introduction to Islam	3
DTH 031 Church History Survey	3	DTH 032 Acts of the Apostles or DTH 034 Romans
DTH 033 Supervised Ministry I
* DTH 035 Supervised Ministry II	-	*DTH 036 Supervised Ministry II	-
Toatal	16	Total	18

*Non-Credit required courses:

DTH 033 Supervised Ministry I a pass/fail course must be taken in the first semester.

DTH 035 Supervised Ministry II a pass/ fail course must be taken second semester.

 

Detailed Course Description

DTH 001        English Language Grammar   (3 credits)

This course focuses on reviewing Basic English grammar with emphasis on proper English usage as applied to speaking and writing.

DTH 002        English Writing Skills   (3 credits)

This course focuses on fundamentals of organizing and writing essays and research papers.          

DTH 003        Old Testament Survey    (4 credits)

This course deals with the background and message of the Old Testament.

DTH 004        New Testament Survey   (4 credits)

This course surveys the culture and religious milieu of the inter-testamental and first century world in which Jesus and the early Christians lived and ministered. Attention is paid to the background, introductory matters, and major contents of the New Testament

DTH 005        Biblical Interpretation   (2 credits)

This course is an introduction to the history, principles, tools, and methods of interpreting the Bible.

DTH 006        Religious Education   (3 credits)

This introduces students to basic educational administration in a local church with emphasis on the necessity of Christian education and methods of teaching. The educational and growth needs of various age groups, training and discipline shall be considered.

DTH 007        Evangelism   (3 credits)

This study is an introduction to the biblical and theological reasons for and the different methods and strategies of evangelism. 

Emphasis will be placed on winning, discipline and organizing converts into churches.      

DTH 008        African Traditional Religion   (3 credits)

This study surveys some traditional African beliefs and practices with particular reference to traditional religions in Ghana.

DTH 009        Spiritual Formation (3 credits)

This is a study of the theological and practical aspects of the classical spiritual disciplines, both personal and corporate, which foster spiritual formation. Attention is given to the development of a ministry of spiritual formation.

DTH 010        Introduction To Christian Worship (2 Credits)

This is an introductory study of Christian worship with an emphasis on biblical principles, theology, and practice of worship.  Special attention will be given to various kinds and means of worship with a view toward improving worship services.

DTH 011        Introduction to Basic Computing   (no credit)

This is an introductory course in computer software applications.  This includes acquiring basic skills in windows, word processing, spread sheets, databases, and Internet browsing.  

DTH 012        Leadership    

This course is a study of some of the dynamics, principles, and requirements for Christian leadership and their application in contemporary society. 

DTH 013        Music Practicum I   (1 credit)

The vocal ensemble learns to sing hymns and anthems in parts.  The group rehearses to sing at School of Theology and Ministry functions or outside programmes.

DTH 014        Christian Stewardship

This course is a study of the biblical and theological basis for the total stewardship of the Christian life.  Emphasis is placed on the financial programme of the church’s accountability in total corporate stewardship responsibility.    

DTH 016        Music Practicum II   (1 credit)

This is an extension on Music Practicum I.

DTH 021        Church Administration   (3 credits)

This is a study of the theology and theories of management and development of a local church.  Practical aspects of managing the church’s human, financial and other resources will be studied.

DTH 022        Pastoral Care and Counseling   (3 credits)

This course is an introductory study that examines the theory and practice of pastoral care and counseling.

DTH 023       Fundamentals of Preaching   (3 credits)

This is an introduction to the basic principles and tools of sermon preparation and delivery.          

DTH 024       Old Testament Prophets (3 credits)

This course is a survey of Old Testament Prophets. Selected passages will be used for exegesis. Some major critical questions and theological problems shall be considered.

DTH 025        Church and Community Development          (2 credits)

This study is an introduction to the biblical foundations of development, as well as a study of the principles of community development, and their application to the Ghanaian setting.

DTH 026        Baptist History & Polity        (3 credits)

This is a study of the historical beginnings of the Baptist denomination, its expansion, principles and distinctives, and its contributions to Christianity.

DTH 027        Systematic Theology I           (3 credits)

This course is a survey of Christian doctrines with specific reference to introductory matters, term definitions, and the nature and method of doing theology.  

DTH 028        Systematic Theology II   (3 credits)

The Christian doctrines of the nature and work of Christ, the nature and work of the Holy Spirit, the nature of humanity and sin, salvation, and the nature and function of the church are studied.  DTH 027 is a prerequisite to this course.

DTH 029        Introduction to Christian Ethics   (2 credits)

This course is an introductory study of principles and some ethical theories providing a basis for the making of moral decisions.

DTH 030        Introduction to Islam   (3 credits)

This is an introductory study which includes the early beginnings of the Islam and a survey of its major basic beliefs, practices and expansion.

DTH 031        Church History Survey        (3 credits)

This course is an introduction to Church History which includes an overview of Christianity with an emphasis on decisive movements and persons. The intent is to present Christianity as a worldwide phenomenon from the second century to the present.    

DTH 032        Acts of the Apostles   (3 credits)

This is an exegetical study of the Acts of the Apostles, including an examination of the background, purpose, literary qualities, content, theology, and missiological intent of the document.

DTH 033        Supervised Ministry I   (2 credits)

This module focuses on the church’s educational needs.  It seeks to integrate the educational and developmental needs of various age groups in the church with appropriate teaching-learning styles in existing educational programmes in practical ministry. 

DTH 034        Romans 

This is a study of the Epistle of Paul to the Romans which includes an analysis of the background, purpose(s), content, literary qualities, theology and ethics of the Epistle.

DTH 036        Supervised Ministry II   (2 credits)

This module is focused on practical church ministry.  It seeks to apply counseling theories and principles, pastoral care, visitation, prayer and pulpit needs in practical ministry.

Graduates from the School of Theology and Ministry serve primarily as pastors, evangelists, and teachers in local churches.  Others serve as denominational leaders, missionaries, and as chaplains in both Christian and public institutions, as well as leaders in para-church ministries.  Some serve as social workers with local NGOs and as teachers in educational institutions.